# I explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## What happens

Three young Terrestrial soldiers—Neil Andresson, Bull Mike Tishinev, and Sukune—take an unauthorized space-launch from St. Louis in 2675 during the Interplanetary War with Mars. They journey past the Moon and encounter a Martian scout ship. After feigning unconsciousness, they capture the Martian and attempt to interrogate him, but he refuses to cooperate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Science vs. Superstition

The chapter contrasts ancient fears of Martian conquest with modern scientific knowledge of asteroids and space travel.

### Isolation and Otherness

The Moon is described as a silent, dead wilderness, and the Martian is portrayed as a hostile, alien other.

## Character check-ins

### Neil Andresson

One of the three young soldiers; slim and handsome; spots the Martian scout ship and helps capture the Martian.

### Bull Mike Tishinev

Former star athlete, colossal and strong; captures the Martian by yanking his feet out from under him.

### Sukune

The little Japanese pilot; knowledgeable about astronomy and space; suggests playing dead to capture the Martian.

### Yaxa

The captured Martian scout; swarthy and skeleton-lean; refuses to answer questions, telling them to kill him if they want.

## Key lines

> No wonder the ancients used to be afraid that your people would conquer the world!

It's understandable that ancient people feared the Japanese would take over the world.

_Bull Mike jokingly praises Sukune's knowledge._

> I wouldn’t live here for all the money in St. Louis.

No amount of wealth could make me want to live on the Moon.

_Bull Mike expresses his dislike of the Moon's barren landscape._

> Kill me if you want to.

I won't tell you anything, so do what you will.

_The captured Martian defiantly refuses to cooperate._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters